Chapter Two: Colette

I yank open the heavy, forest green curtains, letting the warm, summer sun illuminates the small yet cosy living-room. I jump at the hissing sound coming from the couch behind me as it creaks beneath the weight of its occupier.

"It's too early," the gravely voice of my hung over savior causes my lips to tug up slightly into a cheeky grin.

"Too drunk to find your room again? Or is it because the couch is closer to the toilet?" I tease, collecting Ali's clothes up from the floor and folding them neatly.

"I only had a couple," she groans beneath the pillow she now holds over her face. I roll my eyes, shuffling around the coffee table and into the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine. It's been seven months since I disappeared from the entertainment world. Seven peaceful months away from my disturbed husband and the crooked limelight I was always under. Ali was sacked, as expected, but thanks to her father and stepmother back home in sunny August, we had a home waiting for us. Egbert and Roseline own a bookshop that doubles as a little cafe in this small bustling town in the middle of the desert. A bookshop cafe that they so graciously allow Alison and I to run so they could retire. Above the quaint establishment is the apartment we call home. A little roomy with outdated decor, but it's home nonetheless. Our little slice of heaven. After the night of my disappearing act, I wound up here as planned. My first line of business when I stepped foot into the humble abode was to change my appearance. The once-long Auburn locks that tickled just above the dimples of my lower back now shine a cotton candy pink and lay just below my shoulder blades. Every morning, I make coffee to start Alison and mine's day. Before getting cleaned, throwing my thick wavy hair into a messy bun and slip the hydrophilic plastic into my eyes, turning my sky blue orbs into a deep sea green. I spend a good five minutes staring at myself, trying to find the woman I was all those months befire, only to see this new and exciting stranger staring back at me. It took some getting used to. I'd never dyed my hair before and was forbidden to cut it, and seeing my eyes a different colour was certainly strange, but I like this person I'm masquerading as. I tug on the black cami dress and head out to the living room to find Ali scowling at her phone. Her black hair with it immaculate ringlets bounce a little as she shakes her head disapprovingly at whatever she's glaring at.

"He's at it again," she huffs, sliding the small screened machine across the coffee table while reaching for her black coffee. I sweep her phone up, my eyes flickering over the screen.

Howard Mcmannon and superstar wife, Colette Mcmannon step out for the first time since announcing her break from music seven months ago.

I roll my eyes, placing the phone back on the table.

"I can't believe he's got a body double to keep up the charade."

I just shrug, pulling my knee-high suede boots on.

"Nothing surprises me anymore."

"It means he's still looking for you."

I shrug again, grabbing the keys from the centre of the table.

"Looking like this, he's going to be looking for a long time."

"Cocky," she states, throwing her head back on the couch.

"Im not cocky. I just have faith in how

I currently look. You should get showed and I'll open up."

"Yes mum," she answers back sarcastically. U shake my Head in amusement.

The sun beats down on my now chunky pale arms and faces as I drag out the heavy chalk board with today's special scribbled across its washed-out grey slate. Already the town is coming to life. Workers and school kids fill the streets. Some say good morning as they pass and I give a little smile and a wave back. I don't know what I was expected when Ali told me the plan. My first thought of hidhuuiing out in a sleepy town in the middle of nowhere might be a bit of an obvious place for Howard to start looking, but August is actually pretty busy, thriving even. It has everything a girl could need. A shopping Mall with some top brands, cute little shops and cafes, bars and a handful of clubs. It certainly far exceeded my expectations.

"Good Morning Lettie."

"Zoheb, good morning!" I beam at the young man stood before me. "Early as usual. The machines need turning on and some of the new books have come in."

"I'll get them sorted." he smiles sleepily.

Zoheb Mohamed, our 19 year old employee we took on not long after we arrived has been one of the best decisions we've made since taking the shop over. He was Fresh out of school, bright eyed, hard-working and fitted exactly that spot that we needed to fill with running this place. Ali was worried that people might notice my resemblance to Colette McMannon, but thanks to Howard keeping up this facade of us still being together and that I has take g a well deserved break from music has helped with no one being suspicious. To those who have commented on my similarities, it's just been how I could make money as a tribute act. The heavy metal feet of the tables scrap across the pavement as I move everything into position before Wheeling the flower planters to box our little outdoor seating area in. It doesn't take long for the smell of coffee to waft from the front door, grabbing the attention of those making a b-line for work and drawing them inside for a drink to go. Business is booming as it were. Enough for Ali's father and step mother to stop coming in everyday to critique how we run the place.

"More romance novels?" Zoheb places the new stock on the outdated wooden shelves as I step inside, he scowls slightly. "I though you were getting more sci-fi's in?"

"There should be a couple of new ones in one of the boxes," I call over my shoulder as I unload the cups from the dishwasher. "I also ordered some tech ones that I thought you might be interested in."

His face lights up at the mention of new books on tech. You see, extra help wasnt the only reason we hired Zoheb. He's a wiz when it comes to machines and all things internet. And since Ali talked her father into putting the bookshop online, we needed a snazzy website and Zoheb was the perfect man for the job. I carefully stack the hot chocolate mugs on the shelf above the fancy milk frother and turn my attention to the tubs of sandwich fillers in the fridge under the counter. I hum in displeasure when I notice two of the sandwich fillers are out of date, meaning less variety for the day till I can get to the supermarket after work. The morning started off slow but by mid day, 4 out of the 7 tables inside are taken and all three out door tables occupied by students or those who work from home. laughter resounds inside as everyone seems to be enjoying milkshakes.

"He's in again I see," Ali whispers into my ear, nodding towards the dangerously handsome, and quiet regular sat at the table in the corner in his usual tight fit black shirt with sleeves rolled up slightly, showing his slender yet muscular veiny arms. The black, slim fit suit trousers cling to his thighs as his knee bounces slightly under the table. His hair hangs loosely below his ears, wavy and dark. Thick-rimmed glasses sit on the bridge of his straight nose, hiding those gorgeous deep brown eyes that I occasionally catch watching me from over his laptop. His chin rests on the palm of his hand as his eyes flick back and forth across the screen.

"You should talk to him."

"I would but in case you have forgotten," I hold my hand up to her. The White band that wraps around my finger still evident a wedding ring once sat there.

"I'm sure he who shall not be named is having fun with that look a like of yours. Plus you're quite literally separated."

I jab her in the ribs with my elbow before fleeing round the other side of the counter before she can retaliate. She's a bad influence that's for sure. Alas Ali is right. What's the worse that can happen if I talk to this guy. I'm being friendly with a customer. That's all. It's for business.

"A black coffee and a ham with cheese sandwich," I take the plate and mug from the tray, placing them opposite the dark haired stranger as he taps at his keyboard. He just nods, not taking his eyes away from the screen. "Excuse me."

He lets out a small sigh, lifting his head up to me.

"I uh.. I was wondering what your name is. I know all the regulars but it occurred to me that I don't know yours."

His brows knit together for a moment, as if contemplating if telling me will stop me talking to him or whether to just ignore me entirely.

"Felix."

"Felix," I parrot back to myself some what quietly. I give him a bright smile.

"It is a pleasure to have your patronage."

His eyes flicker down me then back to his screen without uttering another word. Awkward. That is the only way to describe this attempt at a conversation with the hot, mysterious man I will now call Felix but never try to have a conversation with again to save myself humility. I return to the counter where Ali smirks amusingly at my failure to strike up a conversation.

"The once irresistible Lettie not so irresistible in the real world." I would throw something at her if we didn't have customers in. It was her idea after all to make the first move.

"Dont look so glum. How about we go out on Saturday?"

"Mmm I don't fancy it. There's always some kind of drama when I go out with you."

She places her hand on her chest as if my words had offended her.

"But we haven't been out in so long. Please Lettie. Don't leave me alone with Tiffany and India."

I raise a brow.

"You want me to come as some kind of buffer?"

"I want you to come because you never go out. And because I need you as a buffer. Please?"

She gives me the biggest, cheesiest grin while at the same time her eyes are pleading. It's a skill really. How is she pulling two expressions at once?

"Fine," I sigh. "But you're buying all my drinks."

"Deal." she claps her hands excitedly. "And dress sexy. There's a band playing and I intend to help you get laid."